West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-09-29

- ~ AhuNA uSNouuN 10 YOU QtaW cuts.
They did so. and Cristoph was the lucky
one. While they were settling the matter
Matte looked on with apparent in
difference, but her heart beat fast under
her bodice, and when il was decided she
almost unconsciously smiled with evi.
dent pleasure Lars saw il, and from
thst day jealousy began TO take root
/ deeper and deeper in his heart, and there
was no lack of occasion 10 develop IT,
/ Margrit HermenSen, Katies best friend.
went to the altar TO plight her faith.
Katie was chosen 10 carry the wreath.
accompanied 10y Cristoph. When Lars
heard Of 1t he opposed il vehemently.
Both young men grew violent and
only hatie's presence of miud in declar-
ing she did not wish to go TO the we'd
dlng prevented perhaps the very worst
outbreak OF Lars's passionate storm of
anger. After that the two avoided each
other as much as possible, but sought TO
be with Katie. Each knew that the 9th
er loved the girl, aud both felt secretly
conscious TO whom Katie's heart inclined.
/ Cristoph, the calmer and more self pos
sessed, felt silent, blisSful happiness
taking possession Of his heart when the
+ girl looked al him with her blue ewes so
sweetly and kindly. Lars, more vehem.
ment, believed at times that Katie loved
hlm, her manner was so cordial. But.
again, when he saw her with Cristoph, a
voice within him told him that he was
/ not the favored one and he suffered bit
ter torment. So it had gone on till the
evening when the young fishermen re-
turned together from the shore.
CrlStoph's heart beat fast at the quiet.
peaceful scene in old Mason's cottage
and II drew him back with irresistible
power TO leave greeting for the loved
one. But after he had entered the hall
In his effort to close the door, so violently
flung open by the storm, he suddenly be.
came conscious of Katie in his arms. And
while 1t ragged and stormed without he
kissed her, and in wild happiness, he
whispered: ''Katie do YOU love me ~
She did not answer, but her lips pressed
his
The next morning Lars stood on the
shore mending his boat, when Rob StelTel
came by.
You are early, though you came home
late. Were you with your sweetheart2'
Lars looked at him, red with anger.
lie struck the wood with his axe. and
the chips flew far around
'llohom continued the other. "you
did not have good luck 1t seems.n
keep stilll cried Lars. "What is II
to you whether have good luck or notl'
Rob Stelfel stepped nearer. "You are
unjust to me,n he said "A bic fellow
like you should not take il so mcekly.
Cristoph has plainly taken the fish away
from you"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the axe convulsively. "You and
have no love for Cristoph," +" continued
Rob; ''let us join together against him"
and he held out his hand.
81 want nothing to do with you," re-
piled Lars, and turned away, rcsuming
his work
Rob Steffel laughed scornfully, and
went away, but the sting that his words
contained remained in Iarss breast
When the other was out Of sight he flung
down his axe, and went back 10 the
village. Slowly, with downcast head.
he walked. Before the house of old
Mason he paused, then with a sudden
resolution he entered. But, as if bound.
he stood in the doorway-in the room
stood Katie tenderly embraced bv
Cristoph. A painful silence prevailed
for a moment, then Cristoph stepped to-
ward Lars, put out his hand, and said
'Katie is my betrothcd since last even
ing. intended to come directly TO YOU
and tell you"
He did not answer, only bitter smile
qulyered on his lips. 1t was excessively
painful to the girl. She felt what a
blow she had given him, though blame
less herself. She longcd to say some
thing to him, but could not find the
right word. So she only looked at him
and, without speaking, held out her
hand TO him, but he turned away and
left the house
Toward noon the shore was alive with
men. The sea CLEANED in the sunshine
again, the waves played gently, and
soft wind was blowing. The day was
favorable for large haul. All the fisher
men Of the village were gathered to-
gcther, the nets and oars were put into
the boats, the sails spread wide, and the
little fleet sailed far out into the broad,
beautiful sea- Katie stood on the shore
sending greetings TO her sweetheart as
long as his boat was in sight. Then she
went home, smiling happily TO herself.
She had much TO do. After she had
seen TO her old father, who sat quietly in
his chair and smoked q short pipe. She
went about her work. How il few
under her hands to-day. though fre-
quently she stopped, gazing down, lost
in sweet dreams Then she worked so
much the faster again. SO hour after
hour flew by unheeded. At last the
days task was ended, and Katie went TO
the door But the weather had changed.
the sun had disappeared behind thick
clouds, and the sky hung in gray folds
over the sea. The fishermen also had
finished their work Their rich booty
lay in the boats promising a fine reward
for their hard labor But in the east 1t
was black and threatening They must
reach home before the storm came on. The
little sails spread out the ships few over
the water causing the foam to break
over the deep dipping sides. Then came
the first blow strong against the sails;
the loaded boats threatened 10 upset.
The men were forced TO take I'm sails.
and trust wholly to the oars. 1t grew
dark. and the sea lifted itself restles.Iv
into huge, far rolling waves. Then the
storm broke loose with wild force. 10
hOwled and lashed the sea till 10 reared
in short, Oam-cappcd waves The men
rowed with all their might, the shore
could not be far away. though &c was not
visible in the darkness Ahead Of AN the
Of hers shot friefouh's boof. DI,e, g,,.t..,,I